Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley resigned from her position on Boeing’s board of directors, citing her disagreement with the company’s pitch to receive a government bailout to help it weather the coronavirus pandemic.
The aviation industry giant asked for a $60 billion federal bailout, an idea that President Trump has indicated support for as countries around the world contend with the COVID-19 crisis. Boeing had already been reeling from an air safety controversy related to its 737 Max jets.
Haley, who resigned on Thursday, said in a letter to the chairman of the board that she wanted to be a part “of helping the company as it pushes through,” but determined “the board and executive team are going in a direction I cannot support.”
“While I know cash is tight, that is equally true for numerous other industries and for millions of small businesses,” her statement added. “I cannot support a move to lean on the federal government for a stimulus or bailout that prioritizes our company over others and relies on taxpayers to guarantee our financial position. I have long held strong convictions that this is not the role of government. I strongly believe that when one is part of a team, and one cannot in good faith support the direction of the team, then the proper thing to do is to resign. As such, I hereby resign my position from the Boeing Board.”
In a statement of its own, Boeing said, “We appreciate her service on the board and wish her well.”
Haley’s resignation and the potential for a bailout come as the travel industry as been devastated by the coronavirus crisis, which has killed more than 10,000 people globally. On Tuesday, the Transportation Security Administration screened fewer than 1 million travelers for the first time since May 30, 2004.
The International Air Transport Association estimated in February that the airline industry would lose about $30 billion in lost revenue over the pandemic.
